aiqbench analysis
This study applies physics-informed neural networks (PiNNs) to predict buckling loads in thin conical shells, integrating mechanical stability theory directly into the model's loss function. By training on experimental data and penalizing physically inadmissible outputs, the approach significantly improves predictive accuracy and consistency over conventional deep learning models for aerospace and infrastructure design. The framework demonstrates a viable path toward uncertainty-aware reliability-based design that accounts for geometric imperfections and material variability without relying on overly conservative knockdown factors.
A Physics-informed Neural Network Approach for Robust Buckling Load Prediction and Reliability-Based Design of Thin Truncated Conical Shells
arXiv:2608.21818v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Thin-walled truncated conical shells are widely used in aerospace, marine, offshore, and lightweight infrastructure systems due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and geometric efficiency. Their buckling resistance under axial compression, however, is highly sensitive to geometric imperfections, manufacturing tolerances, material variability, and nonlinear instability effects. Conventional design procedures rely on conservative knockdown factors (KDFs), such as those recommended in NASA SP-8019, which do not explicitly account for shell geometry, fabrication quality, data uncertainty, or target reliability. This study develops a physics-informed neural network (PiNN) framework for predicting critical buckling loads of thin truncated conical shells and integrates the trained surrogate within a reliability-based design (RBD) formulation. The model combines geometric and material descriptors with mechanics-informed features derived from shell stability theory and the localized reduced stiffness method (LRSM). A physics-informed loss function penalizes mechanically inadmissible predictions exceeding the theoretical elastic buckling load. The framework is trained and evaluated using 133 experimental Mylar conical shell tests under axial compression. Compared with a conventional deep neural network (DNN), the PiNN improves predictive accuracy, reduces mean absolute error, and enhances physical consistency. The trained PiNN is then used to evaluate reliability indices and calibrate safety-consistent KDFs for prescribed target reliability levels. Results demonstrate that the PiNN-RBD framework provides an efficient approach for uncertainty-aware design of imperfection-sensitive shell structures.
Abstract:Thin-walled truncated conical shells are widely used in aerospace, marine, offshore, and lightweight infrastructure systems due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and geometric efficiency. Their buckling resistance under axial compression, however, is highly sensitive to geometric imperfections, manufacturing tolerances, material variability, and nonlinear instability effects. Conventional design procedures rely on conservative knockdown factors (KDFs), such as those recommended in NASA SP-8019, which do not explicitly account for shell geometry, fabrication quality, data uncertainty, or target reliability. This study develops a physics-informed neural network (PiNN) framework for predicting critical buckling loads of thin truncated conical shells and integrates the trained surrogate within a reliability-based design (RBD) formulation. The model combines geometric and material descriptors with mechanics-informed features derived from shell stability theory and the localized reduced stiffness method (LRSM). A physics-informed loss function penalizes mechanically inadmissible predictions exceeding the theoretical elastic buckling load. The framework is trained and evaluated using 133 experimental Mylar conical shell tests under axial compression. Compared with a conventional deep neural network (DNN), the PiNN improves predictive accuracy, reduces mean absolute error, and enhances physical consistency. The trained PiNN is then used to evaluate reliability indices and calibrate safety-consistent KDFs for prescribed target reliability levels. Results demonstrate that the PiNN-RBD framework provides an efficient approach for uncertainty-aware design of imperfection-sensitive shell structures.
Machine Learning (cs.LG)
arXiv:2608.21818 [cs.LG]
(or arXiv:2608.21818v1 [cs.LG] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2608.21818 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)
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Full text under the publisher's open licence · 309 words
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